HARRY BEAUTYMAN thinks the strong mindset behind Sutton United's promotion push is best summed up with a tale of Monday morning at training following their 4-1 win over Wealdstone.
“We came in and we spent half-an-hour going over the goal we conceded,” the midfielder says. “It kind of shows the mentality we've got in the group.
The goal was conceded from a set-piece and we spent 30 minutes talking about how we can improve defensively.
We didn't even look at the four goals we scored, we looked at the one we conceded and how we can be better at it.
“We probably haven't had a blip this season and we're aware there's probably going to be a stage where we might come up against a little blip. But, while we've got this momentum, it's im-portant we keep it going as long as pos-sible.”
That momentum for Matt Gray's side contin- ued on Tuesday night when Beautyman scored a stop- page-time winner at Dagen- ham & Redbridge from the penalty spot. Perhaps the most pleasing part of the result – or most worrying from their rivals' point of view – was the feeling they hadn't played well but still found a way to pick up three points on a crucial night of National League action.
Gray's U's are second in the National League table and quite happy to continue under the radar. But, make no mistake, they plan on sticking around.
“We ended last season well and we took it into this season,” Beautyman says. “We kept the core of our team and we added to it.
“No one in the team is be- ing carried. Everyone has the work-rate, the togetherness, the mentality. From day one it's been unbelievable. We're a tight knit-group and we're just all working hard for each other.
“We've been very good at let- ting each other know when it ain't good enough, but taking it on the chin, getting on with it and correcting it. Everyone is demanding from each other. Not just the management but the players as well, which is good to see. We're a team that is really trying to go somewhere.
Pressure
“From the outside, we're probably not expected to be where we are. But I'm sure teams will take us more seriously now because we've been a solid outfit all season. Although, we're happy going about our business quietly.”
Every eight games they have squad meetings to discuss the recent period and look ahead to the next block of fixtures.
Millwall loanee Isaac Olaofe is impressing, the backline including Ben Goodliffe and Louis John defend stubbornly and rarely concede, while the midfield qualities of Kenny Davis, Craig Eastmond and Beautyman himself continue to shine.
Beautyman's double – both penalties – at Dagenham took him to seven for the season. And the 28-yearold was particularly pleased to see them hit the net after having his last spot-kick at Stockport County saved.
“When I first came to the club, Jamie Collins was the penalty taker,” he says. “He had a very good record. In the two-and-a-half years I was here, he only missed one penalty. And he took a lot.
“I used to watch him thinking, ‘How do you do it? How do you compose yourself ?' He retired and the first penalty I scored for the club I had the armband that night. So I felt as if it was my responsibility to take it. I haven't really looked back since.
“It's hard. You take them in training but you can't really recreate the feeling, you can't recreate the pressure. It's about trusting yourself and composing yourself. Funny enough, the one I missed was the only one I took that was really rash. I rushed it. If I'm honest, it got in my head that the pitch was boggy and I didn't compose myself.
“So when it came to Tuesday night, I picked the ball up and I gave myself a good ten seconds, a couple of deep breaths and then it's about trusting yourself. I feel it's my responsibility and hopefully I can continue that record.”
Part of that is preparation. He already knows where he will place his next effort from 12 yards, whenever that happens.
“I speak with my manager about it every week or two,” he says. “‘Where's the next one going, what are you thinking?' As soon as I've said it, that's where I'm going. I might not get another penalty for five games but I'll know straightaway that's where I'm going.
“It's not about picking the ball up, thinking about it and saying, ‘Right, what way shall I go?' I already know where I'm going with my next one.
“With the second one on Tuesday I had all sorts going on in my head. It's the first time I've had two in one game. So it was a huge relief to see it hit the back of the net. With it being so late in the game, and with teams around us were playing each other, we knew it was a big week.”
Without being presumptious, Beautyman and fiancé Jovie have put their wedding back to 2022 because it would clash with any potential play-offs. It's alleviated any stress so he can concentrate on the unrelenting fixture schedule.
“The way we were playing pre-season, how fit we looked, the group we had, I thought we had a good chance,” Beautyman added. “Did I think we would do this good? Probably not.”
